VIJAYAWADA: Opposing entry of women of all ages into Sabarimala temple, several Ayyappa devotees in Vijayawada staged a demonstration at Dharna Chowk on Wednesday. Holding placards and banners, the devotees raised slogans ‘save Sabarimala tradition’ and appealed to the Supreme Court to hear review petitions filed by National Ayyappa Devotees’ Association.
Giving it a political colour, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Hindu Dharmika Samstha supported the demonstration. Ruling TDP and YSRCP, who also backed the devotees, were, however, conspicuous by their absence in the protest.
Addressing the gathering, Sri Dharma Sastha Seva Samiti chairperson K Venugopal said that Sabarimala temple welcomes people of all religions and devotees throng the shrine after undergoing rigorous ‘Brahmacharya’ deeksha for 40 days.
The Supreme Court’s verdict of allowing women of all age groups to enter will not only spoil the temple’s sanctity, but will also disrespect the age-old tradition, he said.
“We don’t intend to hinder or trample on rights of the women in the country. At present, girls below 10 years and women above 50 years are allowed into the temple to have darshan of the presiding deity at Sabarimala,” Venugopal said. Adding that SC should pronounce its verdict in a review petition in favour of the devotees after going through the history of Ayyappa temple as mentioned in Hindu mythology.
‘‘Over the decades, menstruating women, aware of the Sabarimala temple tradition, have stayed away from the temple. But now, the SC’s verdict is encouraging even those who have no faith in God to try to enter the temple, only to create a ruckus,” S Srinivas Rao, an Ayyappa devotee, said. “Plans are also afoot to organise a ‘maha padayatra’ with one lakh devotees in the city to intensify our agitation against SC verdict,” he added.
Meanwhile, a section of the Ayyappa devotees prevented electronic media representatives from covering the demonstration. Heated arguments were exchanged between the devotees and media persons in which a reporter and a cameraman were injured.
The media persons have taken the issue to Vijayawada police commissioner Dwaraka Tirumala Rao’s notice, seeking action against the devotees who attacked them. Condemning the attacks, the electronic media representatives have decided to stage a protest at the same venue on Thursday. The Ayyappa devotees also staged a protest in places such as Guntur and Chilakaluripet. Objecting to the SC verdict of allowing women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple, they said the SC’s order should be cancelled in order to protect ancient traditions.
NTR Mirchi Yard chairperson M Subba Rao and others took out a rally from Sri Ayyappa Swamy temple in Arundelpeta to Guntur Collectorate. Later, the devotees organised a human chain at Chowtra Centre at Chilakaluripet of Guntur. A delegation, led by the Ayyappa Swamy temple secretary V Ravisankar, submitted a memorandum to Tahsildar P Kotaiah.